Multi-purpose pool cover dome support system

ABSTRACT

This new versatile invention of pool cover dome support system keeps the bugs, dirt, rain water, snow and leaves, out of the above ground pools or in-ground pools cover during winter. The system consists of a central distribution hub assembly, edge of pool clamps assembly and versatile telescoping poles. The central distribution hub assembly can be elevated above the rim of the pool to any desired height. The pool cover is disposed over the dome structure and secured around the pool whereby objects and substances will not accumulate on the pool cover. The system can also be adapted and used as structure to provide a temporary shelter for many other applications. The objective is to provide one universal substantially rigid lightweight structure at a low cost with minimum parts that can be assembled as a dome regardless of pools size or shape.

1. FIELD OF INVENTION

This unique multi-purpose invention relates to swimming pool covers support system that provides a dome to eliminate rain, snow, bugs, leaves, dirt and other debris accumulation on cover during the winter when the pool is not in use, and further for increasing life expectancy of the cover by preventing immersion thereof during the storage period. Swimming pool domes can also be used during summer to extend the season, increase water temperature, decrease water evaporation, decrease adding chemicals and protect the pools from rain, bugs, leaves, dirt and other debris when the pool is in use, as well as to discourage people from entering the pool so as to protect against accidental drowning.

2. PRIOR ART

Swimming pool covers are well known in prior art. More specifically, pool covers heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of protecting swimming pools from incursion by foreign objects, generally it is desired to have the pool cover so as to provide a dome for shedding water, debris, other objects etc. that would collect on the pool cover.

Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,527; U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,149; U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,133; U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,925; U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,977; U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,254; U.S. Pat. No. 3,184,763; U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,557; U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,425; U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,767 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,352.

The prior art mentioned which uses air compartments to provide a convex shape above the pool, air-trapping device tends to deflate rendering it ineffective, and many others pool cover supports heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, limited use, poor reliability, not withstanding the myriad of pool sizes and shapes, and requiring a correspondingly large amount of time and effort to erect and dismantle, additionally the complex nature of these inventions, limitation, reliability and the myriad of pool sizes and shapes also lead to a relatively high cost to manufacture and market.

Hence, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a versatile new domed cover support system for swimming pools to eliminate rainwater, leaves, snow, debris and the like accumulation above pools cover during winter, and reducing pool water evaporation loss, and further increasing life expectancy of the pool cover.

Since no prior art, however, provides the ultimate solution attendant with this present new invention. The present new invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through minimum number of parts, very reasonable cost to manufacture, reliable, useful and unobvious design, easy to erect and dismantle, and reasonable affordable price to general public. Therefore, this new present invention will substantially fulfills this need.

3. INVENTION SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of swimming pool covers support now present in the prior art. The present invention fulfills the aforementioned need by providing a new versatile invention of pool cover dome support system. This new system can be installed, maintained and removed by hand, and without spending a significant amount of time. This invention only makes contact with the swimming pool rails or deck, hence eliminating the risk to the pool liner associated with systems that contact the bottom of the pool and the dome is independent of the water level within the pool and of temperature changes.

This invention is defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. To summarize the invention, this new versatile invention of pool cover dome support system keeps the bugs, dirt, rain water, snow and leaves, out of the above or in-ground pools cover during summer and winter. The system consists of one central distribution hub assembly positioned above said pool or spa, contains the telescoping pole receptacles assembly as shown in FIG. 10, the central distribution hub assembly telescoping poles receptacles can be adjusted to any angle of elevation and direction, this is extremely important since different pools size, shape and the height of the dome, require different angle of elevation and direction of the telescoping pole receptacles at the central distribution hub and the edge of pool clamps in order to connect the telescoping pole to these receptacles, Edge of pool clamp assembly distributed around the edge of the pool, the assembly is illustrated in FIG. 4, the telescoping pole receptacle of edge of pool clamp assembly can be adjusted to any angle of elevation and direction, this is extremely important since different pools size, shape and the height of the dome require different angle of elevation and direction of the telescoping pole receptacles at the edge of pool clamps assembly and the central distribution hub assembly telescoping pole receptacles in order to connect the telescoping pole to these receptacles, and versatile telescoping pole made of high-quality anodized aluminum tubing or other rigid materials, that can be extended to the required length from the central distribution hub assembly telescoping pole receptacles to the edge of pool clamp telescoping pole receptacles for any size of pools or spas. The central distribution hub assembly can be elevated above the rim of the pool to any desired height. The pool cover is disposed over the dome structure and secured around the pool whereby objects and substances will not accumulate on the pool cover.

It is to be clear and understood that this new invention is not limited in its application to the details of assembly, arrangements of the parts and components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. This invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be clear and understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The abstract as well is neither intended to define this invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way, the abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public in general, engineers and practitioners and who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly the nature and essence of the disclosure of the application. It is very important, therefore, that the claims to be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of this new invention.

Therefore, it is an object of this new versatile multi-purpose system invention to provide a dome to eliminate rain, snow, leaves, bugs, dirt and other debris accumulation on cover during the winter when the pool is not in use, and further for increasing life expectancy of the cover by preventing immersion thereof during the storage period, also this present invention can easily be adapted and used as a shelter above the pool during summer to extend the season, increase water temperature, decrease water evaporation, decrease adding chemicals and protect the pools from rain, bugs, leaves, dirt and other debris when the pool is in use, as well as to discourage people from entering the pool so as to protect against accidental drowning.

Accordingly, a principal object of this present invention is to provide a novel system for elevating a swimming pool cover above the rim of the swimming pool.

Yet another principal objective of this invention is to provide one universal substantially rigid lightweight pool cover dome support system at a low cost with minimum parts that can be used for all pools of any size or shape.

Yet another objective of this present invention is to provide a system for elevating a pool cover that when installed, remains effective independent of the water level within the pool and of temperature changes.

Yet a further objective of this present invention is to provide a system for elevating a pool cover that can be installed and removed by hand, and without expending a significant amount of time.

A further objective of this present invention is to provide a system for elevating a pool cover that only makes contact with in-ground or above ground pool rim or deck, thereby eliminating the risk of damage to the pool liner.

Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a new domed cover support system for swimming pools that can be easily erected and dismantled.

Still yet another objective of the present new invention is to provide a new domed cover for swimming pools which is of a quality and reliable construction.

Yet another objective of the present new invention is to increases life expectancy of the cover during the storage period.

An even further objective of the present new invention is to provide a new domed cover support system at a low cost to manufacture with regard to both materials and labor.

Yet another important objective of the present new invention is to be economically reasonable to the buying public.

Still yet a further objective of the new invention or any of it's parts to be utilized for shelters.

These objectives together with other objects of this new invention, along with the various features of novelty are pointed out with particularity in the claims and forming a part of this disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of this invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the new invention of pool cover dome support system for swimming pools, it shows its manner of use with a typical swimming pool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the new invention of pool cover dome support system for swimming pools, it shows its manner of use with a typical swimming pool, it shows the central distribution hub assembly placed at a different height with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the new invention of pool cover dome support system for swimming pools, it illustrate how more than one central distribution hub assembly can be interconnected together to form a larger structure for a large pool.

FIG. 4 shows the edge of pool clamp assembly.

FIG. 5 shows part 4 of edge of pool clamp assembly.

FIG. 6 shows part 5 of edge of pool clamp assembly.

FIG. 7 shows parts 4 and 5 edge of pool clamp assembly interconnected together by a wing nut screw.

FIG. 8 shows part 6, this part is common to the central distribution hub assembly and the edge of pool clamp assembly.

FIG. 9 shows part 7, this part is common to the central distribution hub assembly and the edge of pool clamp assembly.

FIG. 10 shows the central distribution hub assembly.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 shows the central distribution hub 8 of the central distribution hub assembly 2 in two different views.

FIG. 13 shows a cross section of the versatile telescoping pole. One pole will be required to connect each of the central distribution hub assembly pole socket to the corresponding edge of pool clamp assembly pole socket or to connect two central distribution hub assembly pole socket for a large pool.

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a perspective view of the new invention of pool cover dome support system for swimming pools, it shows its manner of use with a typical above ground swimming pool. The first time the system installed, it need to be assembled right above the pool in order to adjust the system central distribution hub height and the angle of elevation and direction of each telescoping pole receptacles at the edge of pool assembly at the pool rim or deck and the corresponding receptacle at the central distribution hub assembly. This is what makes the new invention universal, one system for most pools regardless of shape or size. In order to achieve the desired elevation and use existing cover for most cases, circular pools with different diameters will require different angle of elevation from the pool rim pole receptacle to the center distribution hub pole receptacle, and for rectangular, oval or unique shape of different sizes, not only the angle of elevation needs to be adjusted, but the direction of the pole receptacles must be adjusted to the corresponding receptacle that needs to be connected by the universal telescoping pole.

To install the system, Part 5, 6 and 7 connects together by using a wing nut screw, and distributed around the pool rim, part 5 connects to the pool rim by either part 4 using a Wing nut screw or directly screwed to a pool rim or deck for both in-ground and above ground pools. Part 6 provides part 7 telescoping pole socket to move left or right, by moving part 6 at the at the connection of part 5 left or right, and allows part 7 telescoping pole socket to move up or down, by moving part 7 at the connection of part 6 to move up or down.

FIG. 10 shows the central distribution hub assembly 2. Part 6, 7 and 8 connects together by using a wing nut screw and placed at the central of the pool. Part 6 provides part 7 telescoping pole socket to move left or right, by moving part 6 at the at the connection of part 8 left or right, and allows part 7 telescoping pole socket to move up or down, by moving part 7 at the connection of part 6 to move up or down.

FIG. 13 part 3 is the universal telescoping pole that extended to the required length, one side of the pole connects to the central distribution hub assembly pole socket of part 7, and the other end connects to the edge of pool clamp assembly socket of part 7. To complete the structure, connect remaining poles to their respective receptacles from the edge of pool to the central distribution hub assembly

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the new invention of pool cover dome support system for larger swimming pools, it shows its manner of use with a typical above ground swimming pool. It shows two systems connected together by connecting part 7 pole socket of one central distribution hub assembly to part 7 pole socket of the second central distribution hub assembly by the versatile telescoping pole 3 part. More than two central distribution hub assemblies 2 can be connected together as described above.

Now it is clear that this new invention with minimum parts is versatile and multi systems can be joined together to create a much larger structure for pools.

This universal one system for all pools and spas of any size or shape, provides a new dome cover support system for in-ground swimming pools, above ground swimming pools or spas at a low cost to manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, easy to install, and accordingly making such system economically available at a low cost to the general public. Also this new invention and parts can be utilized to provide shelters for pools or other applications. Although this invention has been described in its preferred forms, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example, and numerous modifications in the details of manufacturing design, construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described in the claims and drawings, include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 

1. A unique new versatile invention of pool cover dome support system, swimming pool covers are used during winter to protect the pools from rain, snow, bugs, leaves, dirt and other debris when the pools are not in use, as well as to discourage people from entering the pool so as to protect against accidental drowning. However, swimming pool covers that are not elevated above the rim of the pool as a dome, collects leaves, dirt, debris, snow, water and other matter. Excessive amount of water may cause the cover to tear and the water that collects on top of the cover often becomes dirty or contaminated with algae and, accordingly, become difficult to remove or maintain without removing the collected matter. Swimming pool domes can also be used during summer to extend the season, increase water temperature, decrease water evaporation, decrease adding chemicals and protect the pools from rain, bugs, leaves, dirt and other debris when the pool is in use, as well as to discourage people from entering the pool so as to protect against accidental drowning. This new versatile multi-purpose dome support system can be adapted for summer and winter applications and for pools of various shapes and sizes. This universal supporting system for a pool or spa cover sheet, said supporting system extending above the rim of said pool or spa and including: At least one central distribution hub assembly positioned above said pool or spa contains telescoping pole receptacles assembly. The central distribution hub assembly telescoping poles receptacles can be adjusted to any angle of elevation and direction, this is very critical since different pools size, shape and the height of the dome require different angle of elevation and direction of the telescoping pole receptacles at the central distribution hub and the edge of pool clamps in order to connect the telescoping pole to these receptacles. Versatile telescoping pole is made of high-quality anodized aluminum tubing or other rigid materials that can be extended to the required length, and connected to the central distribution hub assembly telescoping pole receptacles and the edge of pool clamp telescoping pole receptacles. Edge of pool clamp assembly distributed around the edge of the pool. The telescoping pole receptacle of Edge of pool clamp assembly can be adjusted to any angle of elevation and direction, this is very critical since different pools size, shape and the height of the dome require different angle of elevation and direction of the telescoping pole receptacles at the edge of pool clamps assembly and the central distribution hub assembly telescoping pole receptacles in order to connect the telescoping pole to these receptacles.
 2. Said system when in place over said pool or spa, the said supporting system above said pool being said at least one central hub, said supporting system being held securely in place by said telescoping poles when said poles are connected to the edge of pool clamp assembly of said pool or spa and said central distribution hub assembly.
 3. The said system of claim 1, including a plurality of said central distribution hub assembly.
 4. Said central distribution hub assembly with a unique telescoping pole receptacle that can be adjusted up, down, left or right, different pools size, shape and the height of the dome require different angle of elevation and direction of the telescoping pole receptacles at the edge of pool clamps assembly and the central distribution hub assembly telescoping pole receptacles.
 5. The said system of claim 1, including a plurality of said edge of pool clamps assembly.
 6. Said edge pool clamps assembly with a unique telescoping pole receptacle that can be adjusted up, down, left or right, different pools size, shape and the height of the dome require different angle of elevation and direction of the telescoping pole receptacles at the edge of pool clamps assembly and the central distribution hub assembly telescoping pole receptacles.
 7. The supporting system of claim 1, including adjustable length of telescoping poles.
 8. The supporting system of claim 1, including any adjustable pole receptacle at the central distribution hub and at the edge of pool clamp assembly that makes a dome support system versatile, one system for all pools of different size and shape.
 9. Said system of claim 1 can also be used by connecting more than one system together for a Large pools.
 10. Said central distribution hub assembly parts where joined together by a wing nut, can be teethed, smooth, rough or any type of surface.
 11. Said edge pool clamps assembly and said edge pool clamps assembly parts where they join together by a wing nut, screw or other methods, can be teethed, smooth, rough or any type of surface.
 12. Said system can be adapted and used as a base structure for pools or spas shelter.
 13. Said system can be adapted and more than one of said system can be interconnected together to provide a large dome structure for pools or spas covers.
 14. Said system can be adapted and used as a base structure for all types of shelter.
 15. Said system can be adapted and more than one of said system can be interconnected together to provide a large base structure for all types of shelter.
 16. Said any part of said system can be modified, adapted or used for any application. 